Java Bay Trading Company, 777 Isle of Capri Blvd. The employee, Jonna Ernst, age 19, of Buckingham, IA was cited for selling tobacco to a person under age 18, IA Code 453A.2(1).

This compliance project is funded by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, Iowa Pledge (I-Pledge) program. The I-Pledge Program has helped increase statewide tobacco compliance to a rate of 93% since it began in 2000.

Criminal penalties for selling tobacco to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the Iowa Pledge Program.